MARIN  CHAPTER

California Grand Jury Association

MCCGJA Meeting

BOS chambers – 8/17/06

The meeting was called to order by President Mattea at 10:30 a.m.

Chapter Members Present:

Betty Mattea, President; Shelly Wolff, Catherine McKown, Dennis Brown, Gene Dyer, Albert Lozano, Ronald Lucas, Jack Olive, Lowell Smith, Karin Hern, Val Bergman, Bernie Bolger, David Brown, Connie Kloh, Ken Howard, and Owen Haxton

Guest Speaker: Dr. Larry Meredith, Director of Health and Human Services – Lowell introduced Dr. Meredith. H/HS is the largest department - 5 years as Director. He uses a holistic approach. Native of Canada.

Dr. Meredith distributed 2 handouts: “Current Issues and Challenges” plus a letter to his staff re. the new health and wellness Canal  Campus.

He previously worked for SF Dept. of Health, part of a large organization in an urban center. It was challenging in psycho-social and academic areas; every day was exciting and a challenge. “Politically, it was shark-infested waters … politics in SF is a blood sport.” San Francisco is both a city and county. Under Willie Brown, when Brown was in Sacramento, SF could compete with LA; it was a tremendous time of funding. Coming to Marin was like coming to a small town. Now he is involved with 5 elected officials. He stated, “Here I feel I’ve gone to heaven; the community wants to do the right thing. No gang activity, no knife and gun clubs; the urban underbelly is not here.”

There are 5 major factors of community health: nutrition, physical activity, alcohol, tobacco, and safe sex. Factors generate too much of chronic disabling conditions. Health care situation is national concern. Not adequate health coverage. Canada has had a surplus … what is possible if there is a political will. We all pay, and we don’t realize how we pay. Spiraling downward. He encouraged debate re. Sheila Kuehl’s bill. There is a price of privilege: the dark side of affluence. What measures should we be looking at. … to save our young people?

When he began, there was no epidemiology (data - science of health of community). They began with a health survey in 2001. Benchmark every 5 years (lifestyle, insurance, health issues) … to get a better appraisal. Every 5 years, H/HS will track our progress. Tells us where the problems are: youth drinking and obesity. What is binge drinking all about? Breast cancer has had national recognition. H/HS received federal funds re. breast disease because of the research we’ve been doing (Woolsey and Boxer have been advocates). They formed a 15 member scientific advisory committee: a list of who’s who in breast cancer. Buck Institute on Aging will manage bio-specimens and keep a repository of data on every woman who has a mammogram. The study entails a 20-30 minute survey and taking of a bio-specimen for the repository – This information will be gathered over time (such as Framingham Heart Study). This has support from the research community and National Institute for Public Health. We will make information available across the country to share with other researchers. It’s been a wonderful partnership with UCSF, UC Berkeley, Stanford, etc.

Health and Wellness campus (former ILM building). Meredith stated that this is a phenomenal opportunity, a human empowerment zone. There will be integration of services – opportunity for health and financial literacy. Aging, mental health, social services, etc., will all be working at the same table. There is no narrow focused solution – The campus will work with other divisions (justice, schools). 65% of clients live within 2 miles of the canal. In the past, location has been a terrible barrier. “There is a need to create a healthy environment with healthy options.” Employment development (AARP – income tax prep), several ways to increase equity and reduce poverty, including home ownership.

Workforce health and wellness. Meredith stated, “We’ve got to walk the talk.” The focus is on physical activity: Marin on the Move.org. There are several stages of physical activity. Pre-awareness stage are those delaying it … help them get over this threshold. There are all kinds of walking groups, bike coalition, bird groups … hula hoop groups are the latest fad. Stress management. Tai Chi for employees - report tremendous benefits. Reacquaint ourselves with our bodies. They want to export to broader community. The doctor emphasized, “We want to do the right thing … better.” The health care delivery system is broken … no trauma center.

Question & Answers:

Q: Discuss possibility of helicopter transport.

A: Community around Marin General is so ready to fight; the community has a personal environmental attorney. Sutter has to take the lead. Any hospital today needs a helicopter. Kaiser, Novato, and Marin General should have one. It is unfortunate that we can’t get beyond it; feels pessimistic.

Q: Aging – is there a coordinated effort?

A: Campus will have aging as part of it. Part of health literacy. Older Adults have lots of services but not well-linked. Transportation, isolation, and health care. Force the collaboration … dissolve some of the silos. Move into holistic approach that integrates services and shares the mission, data, and mission of moving forward. Non-profits will be part of this. Planning, space managements … culture has kept us siloed.

Q: HIV in prisoners?

A: Care is continued in the community – very few from San Quentin are released here. State system – massive change is going on right now in the prisons.

Q: Please comment on Sutter Health letter you wrote 

A: Healthcare … sent letter to both parties – wanting to put on their radar our concerns, including lack of birthing center at Kaiser. Other concerns: acute mental health services, surge capacity in pandemic and trauma support for clinic. Marin General is the county hospital by proxy … need to have it functioning. Feedback? Haven’t received any except obliquely … Sutter is exploring what its next step will be.

Q: Immigration – drive down Bellam …. hundreds of men looking for jobs. How do you handle immigration problem from a health point of view?

A: Bugs don’t respect political boundaries … we treat everyone. SF is interested in creating a hiring hall. Many young men are waiting for a drive-by. We don’t check immigration status. We have an initiative working with Kaiser and First 5 … to insure that all children under 18 have health insurance. Dental care tends to be delayed for kids and seniors. We have expanded dental care. 1/3 of physicians at Marin General are 55 and over. Kaiser has been most effective – buying up practices, paying a set salary, etc.

Q: Feedback for evaluation – please give an example of instrument for evaluation that has helped you.

A: Every 5 years, we will take a snapshot to find out if a trend is increasing or decreasing re. chronic disabling conditions. Resources are rotating. Design programs to move into prevention strategy. Chronic disease self care (from Stanford) – help people to understand lifestyle and behavior … help families (big cookie, big tobacco, and big alcohol target kids). Satisfaction questionnaires, for example, in mental health. Data comes in to help us to tailor our services; develop across-the-board sampling of clients. “Sweeps week” How satisfied are you? Constantly collecting data … job services, etc.

Dr. Meredith concluded, “You (the Grand Jury) are a phenomenal change agent.” He expressed his hope that juries would promote good news too – how things go well. This concept would bring needed attention.

* * *

A quorum was determined to be present.

Approval of agenda, as amended, to include president’s report … moved/seconded – agreed.

Foreperson’s report – Karin Hern

§         Read the resolution from BOS – commending Grand Juries.

§         August 15 - 8th week as a body, committees are formed, chairs are in place. “It’s an aggressive and wonderful jury.” They are focused on narrowing topics by October. They have lost one juror because of time and energy constraints; they are about to lose a second one to health issues. Karin feels very lucky to have Connie Kloh at Pro Tem.

§         Discussed state training in Concord. Jury gave local training high marks … several felt Concord was redundant and boring; others found it valuable. Perhaps Concord first and then Orientation.

There was a suggestion from the floor to mail out BOS resolution to others. Discussion of Wes’ comments and others. Owen traced history of how it came about. Motion to send out proclamation to former and present grand juries for whom we have addresses (e-mail or physical address)/seconded. Approved.

President’s report – Betty Mattea

§         We received a thank-you note from current GJ for reception.

§         There was another letter from Clarence Dilts that occurred in most current journal. Raises some issue re. finances of state association. Financial report was not sent to members. On 21^st  the Board will discussed. President Lewi said there was no intention to hide anything. Budget is balanced (had a cash flow problem). Training committee – 600 attendees and binders. All has to be paid for in advance; in the past, there was significant cash. Money was paid out for Taranto issue and to lawyers. Budget is balanced for this year. 

§         Discussion by group re. dysfunction of state board. There are new officers, all volunteers; things slip by. Monday Board meeting. Shelly expressed disappointment with President Lewi’s response. Lewi came to Association meeting in May. Suggestion to send any and all comments to President Lewi.

§         Extra vote on ballot for officer … issue of chapters having a vote; Betty hopes we will continue to vote “no.”

New Jury Orientation – Karin’s comments suffice. Stu suggested that we make sure in-house trainers are aware of what is in manual. Training committee will meet some time in October.

Manual changes – will be looked at.

Committee Work Plan 2006/07 – Lowell Smith– work plan to track plans and objectives.- discussion re. new initiatives and changes to generate enthusiasm.

Comments on subjects not on agenda:

§         Shelly Wolff: Pension report –Earl Heal called with questions  about our nomination; no word yet.

§         Lowell Smith - significant security measures have been made at the Civic Center because of 2002 and 2003 GJ reports. He has secured Dr. White, President of COM for speaker for September meeting. He asked for ideas for potential speakers for meetings.

§         Stu Brown moved and Al Lozano seconded appreciation to outgoing officers.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine McKown, Secretary